By Brian Gratwicke – originally posted to Flickr as Hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, CC BY 2.0/Wikipedeia image
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind landowners in certain parts of the state the deadline to submit applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) Eastern Hellbender Initiative is this Friday, March 25th.
Alabama is joining the WLFW Eastern Hellbender state level partnership along with Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. The Alabama initiative will include practices to improve water quality within streams known to harbor Eastern Hellbenders. The Eastern Hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is the largest salamander in the U.S. with some reaching a weight of 2 pounds and 24 inches in length. Once common in the eastern parts of the country, the species has faced population decline due to inadequate habitat and water quality degradation.
The eligible watersheds are located within Lauderdale and Limestone counties and include:
Bluewater Creek – (060300050201 and 060300050202)
Cypress Creek – (06030005064)
Shoal Creek – (060300040401)
Sugar Creek – (060300040303)
Eligible conservation practices include those that extend or create Streamside Management Zones (SMZs), reduce erosion, and lessen nutrient runoff, such as forest riparian buffers, cover crops, reduced tillage, and livestock exclusion fencing and watering systems.
Landowners interested in participating should contact their local NRCS office.